Abstract
Various approaches are being pursued to physico-chemically modify the zirconia neck region of dental implants to improve the integration into the surrounding soft tissue. In this study, polished zirconia discs were laser microstructured with periodic cavities and convex waves. These zirconia samples were additionally activated by argon plasma using the kINPen®09. The surface topography was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and the surface wettability by water contact angle. The in vitro study with human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1) was focused on cell spreading, morphology, and actin cytoskeleton organization within the first 24 h. The laser-induced microstructures were originally hydrophobic (e.g., 60 µm cavities 138.4°), but after argon plasma activation, the surfaces switched to the hydrophilic state (60 µm cavities 13.7°). HGF-1 cells adhered flatly on the polished zirconia. Spreading is hampered on cavity structures, and cells avoid the holes. However, cells on laser-induced waves spread well. Interestingly, argon plasma activation for only 1 min promoted adhesion and spreading of HGF-1 cells even after 2 h cultivation. The cells crawl and grow into the depth of the cavities. Thus, a combination of both laser microstructuring and argon plasma activation of zirconia seems to be optimal for a strong gingival cell attachment.
Highlights
Dental implants are a widely accepted and valuable treatment option to replace missing teeth
The present study provides insights into how the surface nano-microtopography in combination with plasma-chemistry enables a strong attachment of human gingival HGF-1 fibroblasts on zirconia surfaces
Laser-induced nano-micro texturing of zirconia surfaces seems to be a good tool for producing defined topographic patterns to control cell growth
Summary
Dental implants are a widely accepted and valuable treatment option to replace missing teeth. The dental implant neck region was machined or highly polished to create a plaque-free area or to meet hygienic conditions [3,4]. For ceramic implants, this practice was adopted from titanium materials [5]. In preclinical studies with dental implants, similar qualitative soft tissue integration was reported by Thoma et al for zirconia and titanium materials [6]. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons assumed the maturation processes of the epithelial and connective tissues around zirconia implants were faster, as described by Roehling et al [7]
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